Traitic-signal-timing device



Ju y 20 1926.

1,593,057 H. J. BORGERDING ET AL TRAFFIC SIGNAL TIMING DEVICE Original Filed March 20, 1924 1/11 &

"MAN" INVENTORS Z9 HENRY "J. BORGERDNC:

:osEPH F. soasemmg 30 in elevation of the Patented July 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,593,057 PATENT OFFICE.

I HENRY J'. BORGERIDING AND JOSEPH F. BORGERDING, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

rang'rro-sreimn-rmme DEVICE.

Original application filed March 20, 1924, Serial No. 700,469. Divided and this application filed May 13 1925. Serial No. 29,927.

This application is a division of our co" pending application entitled Automatlc trailic signal filed March 20, 1924, Serial No. 700,469.

I The invention relates to a timing device .for automatically opening and closing electric circuits at predetermined time intervals.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a device of the character referred to capable of automatically controlling the operation of electrically operated devices and which is susceptible of regulation so that the time periods occurring between the opening and closing of the circuits controlled thereby may be easily and quickly changed to suit conditions.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by wayof example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in section through'a" device embodying the preferred form of our invention.

Fig.2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in longitudinal section of the circuit controller which is operated to open and close the circuits controlled by the device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view circuit controller shown in the preceding figure.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, 10 indicates a housing having sides 11 a bottom 12 and a top panel 14. lVithin the housing 10 is an electric motor 15, the shaft of which is fitted with a worm 16 which is in mesh with a worm gear 17 fixed on a counter-shaft 18. This latter shaft is also fitted with a worm 19 which is in mesh with a worm gear 20 ,fixed on a timer shaft 21. A timer wheel 22 is secured on the timer shaft. This timer wheel is fitted with a plurality of rows of gear segments 23 which are mounted at axially spaced distances apart on its rim.

The segments'of each row are spaced different distances apart as will hereinafter be described.

Mounted above the timer wheel 22 is a circuit controller 24;. This controller comprises a member 25 which is slidably mounted on three transverse rods 26, 27, and 28. These rods are used as electrical conductors.

Fixed in the face of the member 25 of the controller 24;- is a disk of insulating material, this disk is fitted with four contact points 29 which are spaced equal distances apart and arranged in a circle the center of which is the rod 28.

A. gear 30 is rotatably mounted on the rod 28. This gear has a sleeve 31 which extends through the disk in the member 25. An expansion spring 32 is arranged on the sleeve 31 and is interposed between the member 25 and a collar on the end of the sleeve 31 to yieldably hold the insulated face of the gear 30 against the face of the member 25. The gear 30 carries a spring pressed wiper 33 which is adapted to contact with the 'exposed faces of the contact points 29 when the gear 30 is revolved. As the rod 28 is connected with a source of electrical energy, upon such a contact, the current is conducted from the rod 28 to the gear 30 and thence through the wiper to the contact point With which the wiper is in contact. The other ends of the contact points are connected by conductors to conducting bushings 34 secured in the member 25 and through which the rods 26 and 27 extend. These bushings 34 are insulated from the member 25 so that the current delivered from the rod 28 will pass through the gear 30, the Wiper 33 and be delivered to either of the rods 26 or 27 depending upon which contact point the wiper 33 is engaging.

In the present instance two circuits are controlled. The course of supply being connected with the rod 28. The contact points are alternately connected with the rods 26 and 27 so that the two circuits will be completed in alternate order. It is obvious, however, that all of the points may represent difi'erent circuits or that they may all be con nected with but one circuit.

It is intended that the wiper 33 be placed in contact with the contact points 29 successively and at predetermined timed intervals, thereby completing the circuits alternately and maintaining them completed 1 for predetermined lengths of time. For this reason the gear 30 is adapted to mesh with either of the difi'erent rows of gear segments on the timer Wheel. That is, the circuit controller can be normally shifted axially with respect to the timer wheel 22 so that the gear 30 may be operated by the desired row of segments on the timer wheel. The segments of each row are spaced differently apart so that the time interval between the operation 11 of opening one circuit and closing the other may be changed to suit conditions. Likewise the spaces between the segments of each row may be diiferent so that the circuits will be maintained completed through time intervals of diflerent lengths.

In operation of the device, the motor is maintained in constant operation to continuously drive the timer wheel 22. The segments on this wheel will intermittently revolve the gear 30 a quarter of a revolution to open and close the circuits. It is obvious that the gear 30 will be idle during the intermission between gear segments of the row with which it is iii-alignment.

To change the time of the opening and, closing of the circuits it is only necessary to shift the circuit controller into alignment with a different row of segments.

The present invention may be used in controlling trafiic signals, electric display signs and in various other capacities.

While we have shown the preferred form of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes in its construction may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a circuit controller including a plurality of independent stationary contact points and a revoluble contactor, a gear connected with said contactor for revolving the same whereby it will successively contact with said contact oints, a continuously operating timer wieel having axially spaced rows of segments secured thereon, the segments in said rows being difi'erently spaced apart and being adapted to engage said gear to intermit'tetly revolve the contactor, said circuit controller being axially movable with relation to said timer wheel whereby said gear may be aligned with either of the rows of segments on the timer wheel.

2. A device of the character described comprising a circuit controller having a plurality of stationary contact points arranged in a circle, a revoluble contactor arranged adjacent said points and adapted to contact therewith to complete a circuit, a gear fixed to said contactor for revolving it whereby it will successively contact with said contact points, .a continuously revolving timer wheel having gear segments thereon, each of said segments being adapted to revolve said gear sufficiently to move said contactor from one contact point to the succeeding one, said segments being arranged in rows axially spaced apart, the segments of each row being differently spaced apart, said circuit controller being axially movable with relation to said timer wheel whereby the gear may be aligned with either of the rows of segments.

HENRY J. BORGERDING. JOSEPH F. BQRGERDING. 

